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January 3rd Reading – Packing up Christmas

Today’s reading – Genesis 7:1-Genesis 10:31-32 and 1 Chronicles 1:5-1:23 Just some thoughts on today’s reading… v.7:2 – I honestly never knew that Noah was asked to bring 7 of every clean animal and 2 of every unclean animal. Did you know that? All this 2 by 2 stuff—I had it all wrong. It says […]

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Melissa - January 3, 2010 - 8:06 am

I am really impressed you are getting up so early and then getting to your blog! Oh,I remember in East Asia when you were petrified by hiking up that mountain, I think you held onto me the whole time! And I remember when you made that magnetic board for parker, I am impressed that the kids still really like it! It really is a great idea! I think when I finish all my paper work for the adoption, maybe getting to make this would be a reward! I love creating things! You truly are blessed with such great in-laws! Have a great Sunday!

Andrea - January 3, 2010 - 8:39 am

I do remember that Melissa!!! Still as just afraid of heights! And don’t let the post time fool you;)…I wrote that the night before and put it on a scheduled post time:) I am NOT a morning person either!!! But I know some people do their reading in the morning so with our scripture reading I wanted to post early. My brain actually doesn’t begin functioning normally until at least 11am;)

Amy @ Filled With Praise - January 3, 2010 - 10:06 am

My husband and I are reading the bible readings at night when the kids are in bed, so my comments might be a bit delayed in relation to the reading for the day.

I love what you did with the magnet board…so cute. The pics of Frank in the chair are so cute. Ryann thinks she is as big as her siblings too. Guess that’s what happens when you are the baby. It won’t be long though and she will be trying to love on Elijah like Taylor and Cade love on her 🙂
Blessings,
Amy

Amber - January 3, 2010 - 10:57 am

Hey! I’m not doing the exact same reading plan, but Scott and I are doing our own together. But, like most reading plans it started out just the same as yours. 🙂 Something that stuck out to me (us) is that when Eve ate the apple from the tree…she wasn’t alone. Adam was right there beside her. So many times women get the bad rap about “causing sin in the world” – but we really can’t take all the credit. 🙂 I’m enjoying reading your blog, and even though we’re not doing the same reading plan, I still feel some accountability.

Oh, my fantasy is to go in a hot air balloon ride. If I ever get to, I’ll be sure to take lots of pictures for you!

Heather - January 3, 2010 - 12:32 pm

The readings were good this morning. Everyday will be though! That would stink to live on the boat for 6 months! There are a couple of questions I thought of. Do you think the animals while on the boat had offspring because it says when Noah got off the boat, he immediately made an animal sacrifice/offering to God. I guess there were 7 of the clean animals, so they may not have had offspring. It would have gotten a little crowded. Also, do you guys think that fish and sea creatures died as well? They were already in water, so……? Just a thought. There may be something I missed in the reading. Thanks for your thoughts! I never would have put the Nimrod name together! That’s cute!

Charisa - January 3, 2010 - 1:34 pm

Hey gal…kids are making a movie (rather loudly I might add) and hubby is watching a game on the tv..and I’m sitting here drinking tea and doing Bible Study with ladies who I really don’t even know where they are…kinda sweet! (Also..I am going to post the readings on my blog too and link back to yours if that’s okay) Kinda neat to see how many people God can move through this!

Alrighty, Here are my thoughts!

I love thinking of all those animals walking up into the ark! I am an animal lover and that just excites me so! Can you imagine..all those animals–BIG ones at that too with the tiny ones…I would have LOVED to have been there for that part..(the everyone dying..not so much)

Neat thing to do is measure that out for your kids..(ark size) I did that for children’s church one time and they were blown away..it so hard to just imagine a size..but seeing it is so more real. I would love to see that one in the Netherlands.

ch. 8 vs 1 . I did a bible study once on the God ‘remembering’. From what I ‘remember’–it’s not that God forgets. But it is when He acts. Like when we do something in remembrance of someone. We never forgot that them but we acted and did something because we have them on our minds. I kinda like that thought of God ‘remembering’ me.

Ch 8 vs.10 Noah waiting 7 days to let the dove back out…I think I would have tried every morning and been frustrated! God is still working on my patience!

Chapter 9 re-iterates to me how precious life is to God. I can’t fathom how bad it must have really been that Noah and his family were the only ones that were able to be in the ark. That ALL the people were that corrupt. I can’t imagine how that must have grieved God and even Noah.

Ch 10 vs. 8–Nimrod, mighty warrior and hunter..I loved that too! Made my heart smile when I read it. I always wonder how God would describe me in His Word. Humbling thought!

Also..for question whether fish/sea creatures died. I always understand that they didn’t. Re-reading it, it says the ‘face of the earth’ so I am taking that to mean land. But I haven’t researched it for the root meaning.

Thanks Andrea for starting this!

julie johnston - January 3, 2010 - 2:44 pm

Oh, Heather, that’s a good thought on the animal sacrifice. My husband is in semianry, and I love to pepper him with questions! On an adoption note, some of you have sent me the most ENCOURAGING notes over the past week….. I have printed them all off and am saving them in my “adoption journal”. I received a lot of orders this week, and am so thankful! Also, a fundraising opportunity just “fell out of the sky” (hum, wonder who made it fall?:) I am kindof a coupon nut, and have spent months learning how to regularly walk out the grocery store with $200 or so worth of food for under $50. I love getting “paid” to take things from CVS. I mentioned this on face book a couple weeks ago, and there are masses of ladies wanting a couponing class!!!! I am setting a few up and am going to charge a $10 donation to our fund! I am THRILLED about this! I think we could come up with about half the agencies fees through these classes…a church is even thinking about hosting it with a nursey for a “ladis retreat” type thing!!! Yea!!! Praising the Lord…and so ready to sign that AGCI contract and start with the process!

Nikki - January 3, 2010 - 3:54 pm

3 for 3 so far… whew! Thanks so much for your insight… I, too, was surprised to read about the numbers of “clean” animals brought aboard the ark, and I’ve read Genesis how many times in my life? 🙂

These first few readings especially brought to mind the book “Many Waters” by Madeline L’Engle. So many unanswered questions re the Nephilim, the “Sons of God” intermarrying with humankind, etc. I’ll just add those questions to the long list I already have, all of which I hope will be answered in Eternity… when we will see not just in part but in the whole.

Megan - January 3, 2010 - 4:06 pm

One thing I noticed for the first time was that the waters gushed from underground as well as from the sky. I suppose I just always pictured it as a heavy rainfall. But God is more creative than I am! =) After all…He created my creativeness! But how depressing to see nothing but rain for 40 days!!! Yuck! And I thought Seattle was bad! I am just in awe of how much water it took to cover the earth…and twenty-something feet above even the highest mountain…and for 150 days! 10 and a half months is a LOOONG time to be cooped up on a boat – talk about cabin fever!!! This story really is just incredible.
Now this is really random…maybe…but when did animals live on our planet? My husband’s theory was always that they died during the flood…but God said to take every animal on the boat, so that can’t be it. My theory was that that during the creation…it says a day was as 1000 years. So maybe when God created all of the animals, dinosaurs roamed the earth, but died off before God even created man! Hmmm…that’s a question I want to ask God when I get to heaven!!! Good thing we’ll have tons of time for question and answers!!! =)
Anyway…it saddens me to think of how God felt during the flood. I picture a tortured look on His face as the water levels rose, drowning all those animals and people.
Thanks for being so great about posting early…it gets me all geared up…I’m not a mornign person either but I find I’m a much more positive person if I immerse myself in the word right away!
Also, love the chalkboard/magnet idea! So cute!!! Frank and my boy seem to be about the same age. I wish we could get them together!!!

becky - January 3, 2010 - 4:44 pm

I came across your blog from another blogger friend. I recognized Rebecca in your photo and showed my mom who recognized all the girls! Such a small world…my mom and Rebecca were best childhood friends. We adopted our son from Ethiopia in April and came upon your blog looking through adoption blogs, which i still love to follow!

Love your blog!

admin - January 3, 2010 - 6:01 pm

SUCH great thougths and insights!!! Loving reading these comments throughout the day. It’s so great to read different perspective! Yes—I’m with Charisa–I always understood it as the sea creatures didn’t die. Good stuff girls:) This is going to be a great year!

Lena - January 4, 2010 - 6:05 pm

I always enjoy reading your blog Andrea. I need just an ounce of your creativity. 🙂 So I’m in love with your small chairs that Frank is sitting on in the pictures. Can you share where you found those treasures? I’m searching for some play chairs and nothing has made me happy so far. Way to go on the auction by the way. I can’t get on ebay because I get so determined to win if someone else is bidding. I go nuts!

January 2nd

Today’s Reading January 2nd – Genesis 4:1-5:32, 1 Chronicles 1:1-4, Genesis 6:1-22 – It didn’t take man very long to fall into even deeper sin did it? Sin is sin I know…but gosh–you have Adam and Eve…and they have 2 kids—and before you know it one murdered the other. WOW. Over what? Jealousy. This is […]

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Amy - January 2, 2010 - 12:54 am

Okay, seriously your family is too cute 🙂

Also, I honestly think you will have a referral by the end of March but maybe I am just being to optimistic about things moving quickly. I am still hoping we have our referral by the end of February but am prepared for it to take longer. We shall see! I am so excited to start seeing referrals again!!!

Amy @ Filled With Praise - January 2, 2010 - 7:09 am

Love the pictures! I will get back yo you on the readings.
Blessings,
Amy

Kim J - January 2, 2010 - 8:27 am

Happy New Year Andrea. Love the pictures, love the reading. I prayed this morning I would find my Bible as I stuck it somewhere in the mad dash to “clean up” for our Home Study interview. Found it! So very excited about 2010!

Ashley Scott - January 2, 2010 - 10:47 am

Hi Andrea, first of all, your pictures are amazing…and your kids are so cute!! On to commentary…I love to read lineage passages. Weird, maybe,but I have a good reason. I’m not the type of person who is really going to remember who was born to whom at what age, but I am always fascinated by the verses that are slightly different than the rest. In this case, vs. 21-24 – Enoch. Everyone else lived, had kids, and died. Enoch lived, walked with God, had kids, and then was taken to be with God. I hope my life stands out as one who “walked with God”.

Megan - January 2, 2010 - 11:43 am

As I’m reading chapter 4, Cain is talking about when “they” see me they will kill me, and he gets married…where are all these people suddenly coming from, I wonder? Did God create more people but Genesis just focused on the FIRST people he created? Did Eve give birth many times over and Cain married his sister? I don’t think I ever really thought about this before, because it’s hard to imagine the world before it was populated. Or like I said yesterday, nothingness before the world was created! Then it says that Cain founded a city? Was it populated, what defines a city at that time?
When God said He put a mark on Cain, it seems to me that its purpose was to protect him and not to shame him. Isn’t amazing how God protects us even before we seek to have a relationship with Him?
I’m also noticing how long people lived in that time. Adam lived another 800 after his third son was born! Do you think it would be a good or a bad thing to live that long?!? I picture people at even 90 years old today and how frail they are…it’s just incredible to think of the lifespan. Wow!
It seems random to me, but in chapter 5 it says that Enoch suddenly disappeared because God took him! He lived less than half the amount of time the previous men were listed…I wish I knew more of his story! The Bible says he had a close relationship with God…I just wonder why God took him, and why so “young” in comparison to the rest! It just seems funny to me that the Bible would mention that, but not explain…
In chapter 6 I found it hard to swallow the words that God regretted ever making people because of their wickedness. I guess the only way that I can relate to that is if Skyler grew up to be an awful person – a murderer, a thief, an adulterer…I can’t even imagine how horrid that would feel. Would I regret ever birthing him??? God must have been furious! But, no wonder it broke His heart!
Reading the dimensions of the Ark, it doesn’t even seem big enough to house two of every living creature on the earth and Noah’s entire family, does it??? I know it’s huge…I don’t know how huge…but that’s a lot of people/animals to fit in one boat!!! Or maybe that’s just me…but there are a LOT of animals on this planet. Do you think every animal that exists now existed then? Or do you think, for example, that birds bred with each other to make new wonderful birds…hmmmm. Not to mention, it never fails to amaze me the exact instructions God sent Noah! Does God still send exact instructions today? Are we just not listening carefully enough to hear them?

admin - January 2, 2010 - 12:22 pm

These are GREAT thoughts!!! I had many of the same thoughts—I, too, thought it was interesting how Enoch died…said the Lord took him…I wonder what that looked like. If it was an Elijah thing or what. Very thought provoking questions too Megan…hmmm…a city. I totally didn’t even think of that one. I guess it just looked different than how we would think. Great thoughts. Munching on these thoughts for the rest of the day. This is going to be a great year digging in the word with you all!!!

admin - January 2, 2010 - 12:24 pm

And on a side note—Amy (babydash) I would love to think of a referral coming by March…but they said to think May…so I like to “plan for the worst and hope for the best”…and for me…May is the best–that way, if it’s earlier I will be super excited instead of a wee bit disappointed:). But I could see it being earlier too when things really start moving again:)

Heather - January 2, 2010 - 1:18 pm

I was wondering the same as you this morning when I read the verses. Did Cain & the others marry their sisters or nieces? It does seem strange in our culture today, but I didn’t know what you said about the race still being “genetically pure.” That makes sense I guess! I also noticed (even though we haven’t gotten there yet) that people before the flood lived a lot longer than people after. Since God regretted making man, I wonder if that’s is a consequence…a shorter lifespan?

I was also amazed that Enoch walked with God. He’s the only one that He really talks about having a relationship with Him, except Noah having favor in His eyes. God took Enoch to be with Him, he didn’t really die a death like we would think. Can you imagine?

Well, it’s all good stuff & I’m so excited to be able to share with all of you & learn from you! Looking forward to lots more!

Oh, & your family is precious!

betsy - January 2, 2010 - 1:27 pm

Where did you find the dolls? I have been doing some online searching for a nice one. (:

admin - January 2, 2010 - 1:56 pm

Betsy—sadly, brown baby dolls are harder to find! I had the same problem finding a brown Santa. The doll Frank got and the one they are playing with in these pictures is a Molly P. Original. I bought mine on Overstock for $35. They are out now, but check back. I found the same one online for $70. I am not an American Girl fan–but I bought the Bitty Baby from a friend who bought one not knowing her mom had also bought one for her little girl. It is really cute and her eyes open and close. I think the bitty baby is probably a much better size for your little ones to play with. Just my 2 cents Betsy:) -Andrea

kristi j - January 2, 2010 - 6:02 pm

love the pics…ok, so where did you get those car things…I’ve never seen them before…too fun..my kids would love them…Our mini vacation is so nice…it’s good to get away..oh, i forgot one more weird thing that happened this week…i can’t believe i haven’t told you this one yet..i’ll call ya on my way home tomorrow while in the car…happy new year, kj

Megan - January 2, 2010 - 10:42 pm

Oh, and I got my son a black cabbage patch doll off of amazon.com for $17 this last summer…I haven’t checked to see if they are still available though!

Christie - January 9, 2010 - 10:47 am

Wow! I got so excited commenting on yesterday’s blog that I just realized that I didn’t even comment on the reading, per se. As mentioned in yesterday’s comments, I am just joining in. Today is the 9th and I just started reading last night. Thankfully I stopped on Jan 3rd reading because I didn’t want to breeze through it. I let it marinate for a while 🙂 Yes, Andrea, I also thought to myself, “wow, it didn’t take long for all this drama to occur!” The sin, jealousy, murder. Wow, and I’m just in the first few chapters. This reading is shaping up to redefine my definition of action, drama, comedy & mystery. I’m sooo excited! But back to the reading commentary 🙂 I immediately wondered what the mark was that God put on Cain. Was this a physical mark or a spiritual mark. Does that make sense? Then as you mentioned, where did Cain’s wife come from? Thanks for the “genetically pure” note, as I never even thought about that. Wow, this is WAY better than trying to understand it on my own. It really IS a Bible “study”. I felt worn out by the time I finished with the men and their sons and their sons, whew! I did remember that Enoch walked with God and lived 365 years until God took him. I wondered why but couldn’t help but notice that Enoch’s son was Methuselah. Might I mention that I smiled when I read that he lived 969 yrs?!?!? Now I know where the term “old as Methuselah” comes from 🙂 So I thought…maybe God took years from Enoch to give to Methuselah who in return gave him Noah. I know it wasn’t THAT many years, since Enoch only lived somewhere between 1/2 to 1/3 less than the others. Is this a stretch? I tried to just read and not try to over-think it but I just couldn’t help but wonder about Enoch. What made God TAKE him? I long to be “taken” by Him as opposed to just “dying”. Shouldn’t we all?

Horn of Africa?!

Okay…I just have to say this is what the center of my handprint looks like from our most recent craft! What do you think? Is it a stretch??? Or do you see it too??? And since Ethiopia is located in the horn of Africa…of course this is what I made out the blank spot on […]

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kristi johnson - December 28, 2009 - 1:53 pm

definitely AFRICA 🙂 I so see it 🙂 Rmember my snow cone “africa”..it happened when we passed court…God has a sense of humor 🙂 kj

Amy - December 28, 2009 - 1:57 pm

I think it looks like the horn of Africa!!!

I too am really looking forward to HH moving and I really hope referrals start moving again soon! I think the wait would be much easier if things were at least moving some!

We’ve picked out a name, but we want to wait and hear his name before officially deciding on a name.

Jennifer - December 28, 2009 - 6:14 pm

I see it! I soooo understand! I was biting a chip recently and when I looked at it, all I saw was the shape of India!!! lol:-)

Andrea - December 28, 2009 - 6:17 pm

Thank you girls for validating my perception there! Yes, Kristi…I LOVED your snow cone Africa story! Oh Jennifer…I would have loved to see your India chip:)

Jennifer - December 28, 2009 - 6:33 pm

I am so sad that I didn’t take a picture!!! I saw it, thought, “I’m nuts”, put it in my mouth and ate it. Took another bite…that one looked nothing like India, and realized I really missed a photo op, cuz it was India my friends…ya’ all Southern gals get it! So glad to know that I am not alone:-)
Blessings,
Jenny
A visit to the snow is good…even better when you can go back home to the WARM weather!

Amy @ Filled With Praise - December 28, 2009 - 9:48 pm

I am with you it definitely looks like Africa! I too am very excited to see the movement that 2010 will bring.
Blessings,
Amy

First steps to my “Year in Review”

Mommying is my job. Yes–I’m a photographer…but my first job is and always has been–MOM. This past year, having a 3rd baby in our family, I really began to feel my 2nd job (photographer) start to creep into how I did my first job (mommy)…so it was time to close down job #2 (photographer) for […]

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Dawn - December 24, 2009 - 7:24 pm

Love it!!!! Sounds great, and you are sooo right on 🙂